To ask how intrusive your last mortgage application process was?

[OptimismvsRealism]

I am putting off moving because I have this phobia of going through my bank account details and feeling like a chastened child. I haven't had an overdraft for a long time, my salary is decent, I've been in ft employment for 20 years and I do save every month but somehow the idea of some kid asking if I really need all those coffees and dresses is just giving me the arg.

Has anyone had an experience where they just look at your income and your savings and say away you go?

The transactions they’ll really hone in on are anything to do with gambling, frequent large cash deposits and withdrawals, and sizeable purchases which don’t fit your income levels. They’re looking for unusual transactions and risky spending patterns rather everyday purchases, you won’t be questioned about your coffees!

When they look at your bank statements they are mostly interested in your salary being paid in and contractual outgoings such as loans. They will also look for dodgy transactions that maybe show illegal activity.

Most have an affordability calculator in the background which defines how much you spend rather than scrutinising your bank statements. They won’t give a monkeys about what you spend your money on as long as you’re not in deficit each month. Most don’t even care about gambling unless it shows a clear problem.
Excessive/ regular cash withdrawals would get asked about as you could be hiding a regular outgoing such as childcare or a debt.

I have a friend who was! Also asked what she'd do if she lost her job and couldn't afford both the mortgage and Sky (I think this was HSBC)

Yes, they ask questions about any financial commitments - Sky is a contract you’re obliged to pay for the duration you signed up for, so like any loan or debt they want to hear what plans you have in place if your financial situation changes, such as savings or income protection insurance. That’s what they’re interested in - discretionary spending, unless we’re talking about large and regular purchases which don’t match your declared incomes, isn’t going to be given more than a couple of cursory questions to ascertain that you give the correct answer (“well, if I was unemployed I’d stop buying Starbucks everyday” etc)

Pretty intrusive but I didn't mind. I was remortgaging so it wasn't my first rodeo.

I was asked a lot of questions about my single status at 35 and plans for the next 5 years... as if there's a plan. I start each week not knowing what's going to happen by the end of the week. 🤷‍♀️

This was Halifax as a new customer.

I moved to Halifax when I remortgaged (via a broker), I gave them bank statements from my current account but that's just bills, all my day to day spending is from a separate account and they didn't ask to see that. Though LTV was only 37% so really low.